The FAA has demonstrated a new smartphone application called “B4UFLY,” designed to help model aircraft and unmanned aircraft (UAS) users know if it is safe and legal to fly in their current or planned location. “We want to make sure hobbyists and modelers know where it is and isn’t okay to fly,” said FAA Administrator Michael Huerta. “While there are other apps that...

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden will be at NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va., Friday, May 8 to participate in a ceremony recognizing Langley’s decades of contributions to improving helicopters and other vertical flight aircraft. NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va., has done research on helicopters and other vertical flight aircraft almost...

Following the devastation of Cyclone Pam, the Vanuatu Government and the World Bank contacted Australian operator Heliwest, who deployed Lockheed Martin’s Indago small unmanned aerial system (UAS) to conduct a rapid damage assessment. The Indago collected imagery of the damage over a two-week mission and provided the data to operators, without risking a life. Photo courtesy of Heliwest...

U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx today announced a significant NextGen milestone with the completion of En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM), a highly advanced computer system used by air traffic controllers to safely manage high-altitude traffic. The first ERAM system went online at Salt Lake City Center in March 2012. The final installation was completed last month at New York Center. ERAM...

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has approved an increased maximum gross weight for the MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) MD 900/902 Explorer, following previous approval by the FAA in March 2013. The new max gross weight is 6,770 pounds, a 270-pound increase from the previous limit of 6,500 pounds. MDHI’s twin-engine MD...

Bell Helicopter has delivered a Bell 412EPI to Chongqing General Aviation (CQGA). The helicopter is the first certified Bell 412 type aircraft to operate in China and will be used for fire-fighting missions. Photo courtesy of Bell Helicopter A delivery ceremony was held at Bell Helicopter’s customization and delivery center in Piney...

The FAA has proposed a $1.54 million civil penalty against Air Methods Corp. of Englewood, Colo., for allegedly operating Eurocopter EC130 helicopters on dozens of flights when they were not in compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations. The FAA alleges Air Methods operated two helicopters on 70 passenger-carrying flights for compensation or hire, over...

Erickson Incorporated has renewed key contracts with the U.S. Forest Service as well as with Canadian aerial heavy lift company Helifor Canada, a subsidiary of Columbia Helicopters. Jeff Roberts, CEO and president of Erickson Incorporated, commented, “I am happy these valued government and commercial customers selected us once again and gave us a vote of confidence in our ability to serve their...

REACH Air Medical Services, headquartered in Santa Rosa, Calif., has partnered with Outerlink Global Solutions and Metro Aviation to launch Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS), which is expected to expand tracking, communication and overall safety practices. IRIS provides global coverage and will allow REACH to record significantly greater amounts of aircraft data. The data will be...

It’s difficult to believe, but the FAA is actively soliciting our opinion on a variety of issues related to small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS). Regardless of your feelings on this subject, don’t miss this rare opportunity to help shape the future of aviation. The comment period will end April 24. Many entrepreneurs in the U.S. want to use sUASs for non-recreational purposes. In the...

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will host its first International Rotorcraft Safety Conference from April 21 to 23 at the Hurst Conference Center near Ft. Worth, Texas. The free event is part of the FAA’s Rotorcraft Safety Initiative and will provide conference attendees with tips about how to reduce helicopter accidents. In fiscal year 2013, 37 people lost their lives in rotorcraft...

At HAI Heli-Expo 2015 last month, Sikorsky held a recognition ceremony for Bristow Helicopters Ltd., highlighting the upcoming launch of the company’s UK search and rescue (SAR) contract. Bristow was awarded a 10-year UK SAR contract in March 2013, with services starting on April 1, 2015, on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). Jonathan Baliff, Sergei Sikorsky, Richard Parkes and Shane...

CHC Helicopter, search and rescue (SAR) operator for the Irish Coast Guard, currently has four bases in Ireland: Waterford, Shannon, Sligo and Dublin. In 2012, CHC began its latest contract with the Irish Coast Guard: a 10-year contract with the option of a three-year extension. Rotor & Wing sat down with Chris Hodson, CHC’s general operations manager for SAR services, to speak more about the...

Northrop Grumman Corporation's subsidiary Remotec Inc. and AirRobot US have entered into a distribution agreement for AirRobot's line of small unmanned aerial systems (UAS). AirRobot produces electrical powered multi-copter systems that can carry a payload weighing up to 7 pounds and fly for as long as 50 minutes. The systems can also carry a wide range of payloads – including multi-spectral cameras...

Northwest MedStar owns a mixed fleet of four fixed-wing and seven rotory-wing aircraft, and recently replaced one of its helicopters with a new Airbus H135 (EC135) completed by Metro Aviation in Shreveport, La. Metro has also operated all 11 aircraft for Northwest MedStar since August of 1994. Photo courtesy of...

Aeryon Labs Inc., manufacturer of small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS), is the first Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) sUAS provider to be granted statewide approvals by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for research and public safety applications. Kansas State University Salina (KSU) and the Michigan State Police (MSP) have been granted authority to use Aeryon sUAS throughout their respective...

Following the delivery of three Dauphins this month, two Japanese law enforcement agencies have signed contracts for new Airbus Helicopters Dauphin airframes. The latest order was signed with Japan’s National Police Agency for one H155 version (previously known as the EC155) to be deployed by the Kagawa Prefectural Police, and an AS365 N3+ variant for the Fukuoka...

Breeze-Eastern Corporation, the aerospace industry’s only dedicated hoist and winch specialist, has delivered more than 1,000 BL-29900 rescue hoist systems. The system's unique Reactive Overload Clutch (ROC) feature is a next-generation improvement over standard slip-clutch technology used by other manufacturers...

United Rotorcraft, an Air Methods Division, has received a new contract to complete an Airbus EC130 T2 emergency medical services (EMS) demonstrator for Airbus Helicopters in Grand Prairie, Texas. The aircraft completion will take place at United Rotorcraft’s Decatur, Texas facility and will include medical interior, avionics, exterior lighting accessories, and full aircraft paint. The...